Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is amongst eight leading law firms involved in a new pro bono initiative with the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) to launch a free legal advice clinic for applications to the UK government’s Windrush Compensation Scheme.

The Windrush Compensation Scheme was set up in 2019 after it emerged that despite living and working in the UK for decades – having been invited to the UK from Caribbean countries between 1948 and 1973 – many of the “Windrush generation” and their family members were told that they were illegally living in the UK and were wrongly detained, deported and denied legal rights.

Under the scheme those affected by the Windrush scandal can apply for compensation for the significant detrimental impact its had on their lives. Two years on from its launch, only 1,996 claims have been made under the scheme. The government estimates that more than 12,000 individuals are eligible

The JCWI clinic has been established to assist individuals affected by the Windrush scandal in submitting their applications, assessing the resulting decision and appealing it if necessary.  

The clinic is supported by Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, Charles Russell Speechlys, Debevoise & Plimpton, Dechert, Latham & Watkins, Linklaters, Taylor Wessing and White & Case.

For more details, click here.